1997 Chevrolet Malibu
Summary:
Nightmare
Faults:
This car was in the garage more than it was on the road!!
Head gasket blew at 23000 miles.
Brakes and pads replaced every 3000 miles.
AC motor replaced at 23000 miles.
An unknown electrical problem that took four return visits to the mechanic.
Gas, temp., RPM., MPH., gauges would go out of control at least weekly.
General Comments:
Never, never, never, buy this car.
I can't remember everything that went wrong with this car but I was on a first name basis with my mechanic.
The repair shop felt so sorry for me after the last visit that they gave me a rental for a week free of charge!!!
It's a money pit.
It's a lemon.
It was a nightmare.
After the last repair bill I realized I could not afford this car and traded it in for a foreign.
I'll never buy another American made car.
The only good thing about it were the comfortable seats. GM should be ashamed.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 8th January, 2002
19th Jan 2002, 15:52
I have a 1998 Malibu LS, I am currently on my 3rd engine with this car, all of them covered under warranty. The 3100 SFI engines makes a loud tapping sound on cold starts. Dealers are known for telling you that it is normal. Don't believe it, it is not normal... tell them you are going to file a LEMON Law Suit and you will get much more respect. Trust me, this is my third engine, and will probably have to replace it again because all 3100 SFI engines have this problem, but if they want to continue to put engines in here and give me new rentals to drive around for weeks at a time, that is fine with me.